Brain imaging of analgesic and antihyperalgesic effects by cyclooxygenase inhibition in an experimental human pain model: a functional MRI-study

One of the most distressing symptoms of pain syndromes is the enhanced pain sensation (hyperalgesia). Understanding the pathophysiology of hyperalgesia and the mode of action of antihyperalgesic drugs will potentially lead to better strategies in neuropathic pain therapy. In the present study we used fMRI in combination with quantitative sensory testing and explored brain activation patterns during acute impact pain and mechanical hyperalgesia in the human UV-B model. To gain insight into pharmacological modulation of pain and hyperalgesia, we investigated potential differential fMRI correlates of analgesic and…